The relations between the Middle East and the West have always been rather tense. Some people see the origins of the tension in the Middle Ages, i.e. in the epoch of crusades.1 Other researchers claim that the great tension began in the late 1970, the time of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the time of Iran’s Islamic Revolution (Shuster n.p.).
However, many people do not focus on the origins of the tension, but concentrate on the outcomes of the tension. Numerous terroristic attacks and military campaigns in the Middle East put the fat in the fire (Shuster n.p.). Various stereotypes overwhelm relations between the Middle East and the West, though, the tension between the two parts of the world is decreasing.
Pew Research Center conducted a survey that reveals people’s attitude towards the relations between the Middle East and the West and major stereotypes concerning the relationships.
Thus, people living in western countries as well as those living in the countries of the Middle East admit that the relations between the two regions are tense, Thus, 62% in France, 61% in Germany 58% in Spain, 48% in the USA, 72% in Palestine territories, 62% in Turkey, 60% in Egypt, 58% in Pakistan think that the relations are “poor” (“Common Concerns about Islamic Extremism” 1).
Interestingly, Westerners as well as Muslims worry about Islamic extremism. Thus, 76% of people living in France, 73% in Germany, 69% in the USA, 77% in Israel, 73% in Lebanon, 64% in Egypt, 63% in Pakistan are concerned about Islamic extremism (“Common Concerns about Islamic Extremism” 1).
It is also important to note that Westerners as well as Muslims share the same opinion concerning the role of religion in the development of relations between countries. For instance, about 50% of people in western countries and countries of the Middle East tend to think that some religions are “more prone to violence than others” (“Common Concerns about Islamic Extremism” 3).
As far as stereotypes are concerned, Muslims and Westerners associate each other with different characteristic features. For instance, about 60% of Muslims see Westerners as “selfish”, “violent”, “greedy”, “immoral” and “arrogant” (“Common Concerns about Islamic Extremism” 1).
Notably, 44% of Muslims see Westerners as respectful of women. Westerners, in their turn, see Muslims in a bit different way. Thus, 58% of Westerns see Muslims as “fanatical”, 51% – “honest”, 50% – “violent”, 41% – “generous”, 39% – “arrogant”, 35% – “selfish” (“Common Concerns about Islamic Extremism” 1).
However, it is important to note that there is a positive change in the relations between Westerners and Muslims. Thus, fewer people think that the relations between the Middle East and the West are poor.
For instance, in European countries the shift to the more positive view of the relations (since 2006) is estimated at around 5-10%. In Indonesia this shift is 13% and in Turkey it is 2%. However, in some countries of the Middle East more people think that the relations are poor. Thus, in 2006 in Pakistan 25% people shared this opinion, whereas in 2011 45% agreed that the relations are poor.
On balance, it is possible to state that the relations between the West and the Middle East have always been quite tense. There are many superstitions and stereotypes which sometimes aggravate the situation. However, there is a slow but steady change in the attitude of people of different regions towards each other.
Works Cited
Baker, Derek. Relations between East and West in the Middle Ages, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2009. Print.
Common Concerns about Islamic Extremism: Muslim-Western Tensions Persist. 2011. Web.
Shuster, Mike. “The Middle east and the West: The Clash with Islam.” NPR 2004. Web.
Footnotes
See Baker for the profound analysis of the epoch and relations between the Middle east and Western countries.